Karachi, Feb 12(ANI): The “dew factor” will play a crucial role in the outcome of the day and night matches at the ICC World Cup 2011, former Pakistan captain Imran Khan has said.

“Apart from the related strengths and weaknesses of the participating teams I think the dew factor in day and night matches will decide results,” Geo Super quoted Imran, as saying.

“I think any team batting second will have a huge advantage as the ball keeps on getting wet, the outfield is wet and bowlers find it hard to grip the ball,” he explained.

Pakistan’s World Cup-winning captain pointed out that in the months of March and April, sub-continental pitches tended to be flatter in the day and night matches because of the warm weather. “And in these months I know by experience that the dew factor also becomes very important in the sub-continent,” he added.

Imran also said that Sri Lanka won the final in Lahore in the 1996 World Cup because “they chose to chase and ended up getting the advantage of heavy dew, making life very difficult for the Australian bowlers.”

The organisers have scheduled 36 of the 49 World Cup matches as day-night fixtures in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The quarterfinals, semis and the final are all day-night matches.

Like many others, Imran also picked India as favourites to win the title. “On current form, their team combination and the fact they are playing at home, I would say India start off as favourites,” he said.

The former all-rounder, who played in five World Cups, believes the only factor that could undermine India’s chances were the huge expectations and the pressure of playing at home.

“Otherwise India has a very strong side and their batsmen should be devastating on Indian pitches,” he added.

Imran saw India’s Virender Sehwag and Yusuf Pathan as players who could make a big impact at the tournament.

“They are the most powerful and clean hitters in the sport today. Plus they have wisely included a leg-spinner, Piyush Chawla, to partner Harbhajan Singh in the World Cup,” he said, adding, “I have always believed that leg-spinners are essential in ODIs as they are attacking options and take wickets.” (ANI)